Improving everyday life of people with dementia living at home: Health care professionals' experiences

Abstract

Aim: This study investigates what health care professionals experience is important for improving everyday life of people with dementia living at home. Background: A prerequisite for living at home is that people with dementia and their relatives can handle everyday life together despite the challenges that dementia poses. Methods: This qualitative study conducted focus group interviews (n = 14), and the data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis identified one theme—need for enhanced competence to develop and implement individual plans—and three categories: challenge in identifying cognitive decline; need to timeously facilitate an active and meaningful everyday life; and need for consistency, continuity and coordination in dementia home care. Conclusion: Increased expertise is needed among health care professionals to contribute to the development and implementation of individual plans in dementia home care. To achieve this, health care professionals' competence and how dementia home care is organized must be seen in conjunction. Implications for Nursing Management: Routines should be established for identifying cognitive failure early and providing support and guidance at the beginning of the process. There is a need for nurse managers to facilitate increased advanced competence regarding dementia care for a professional home care service and to consider how home services can be organized to ensure continuity and security for people with dementia and their relatives. Creating and implementing an individual plan which can be a starting point for identifying individual needs and wishes and for coordinating an individual user's services.